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2017 National Leadership Conference

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2017 National Leadership Conference

Mobilizing the ATFS program to achieve impacts on water, wildlife and wood supplies.

The 2017 ATFS National Leadership Conference saw more than 215 attendees come together for three days of leadership development, fellowship, and shared learning at the Hyatt Regency in Greenville, South Carolina. Thank you to all of the sponsors and volunteers who helped make this event a great success, and we hope to see you again at the 2018 event!   

2017 NLC Photo Album:

2017 National Leadership Conference

Conference in Review:

The 2017 NLC hosted more than 215 guests for three days of networking and information-sharing, including more than 78 first-time attendees. We were also pleased to welcome a record number of sponsors to the event. We were joined by special guests Gene Kodama, South Carolina’s State Forester and Carlton Owen, President and CEO of U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, among many other engaging and insightful speakers. At the 2017 NLC, we were proud to recognize the class of 2017 Regional Outstanding Inpsectors of the Year: Derek Albers, Maryland; Michael Hughey, MS; Christine Walroth, WI; and Tom Westergreen, WA. On Thursday February 23, Tom Westergreen was named the 2017 National Outstanding Inspector of the Year and Mike Smalligan was presented the 2017 National Leadership Award.

The 2017 NLC raised the bar of excellence by providing educational and inspiring presentations for our participants and highlighting AFF’s many exceptional partners. The panel for Family Woodland Landowners: Positioned for Impact in the South, reflected on how America’s family woodland owners and ATFS are positioned for meaningful and measurable impact. The panel addressed the unique opportunity before ATFS for delivering significant, simultaneous and measurable impact for at-risk wildlife and sustainable fiber delivery through the engagement of family landowners. The panelists included: Cindy Dohner, Regional Director US Fish & Wildlife Service; Nina Goodrich, CEO GreenBlue & Sustainable Packaging Coalition; Richard Peberdy, Drax Biomass; and Salem Saloom, Landowner & AFF Board Trustee.

On Friday, there were two very dynamic presentations. The first, Engaging a Cross-Generational Volunteer Force, led by Eileen Buckley of PricewaterhouseCoopers explored discovering your personal “purpose” as well as bridging the generational divide among volunteer communities. Participants learned about generational preferences towards work (from PwC's Millennials at Work study) and the importance of purpose in driving meaningful volunteer engagement. Panelists included: Sophie Beckham, International Paper; Jim Karels, Florida Division of Forestry; and Jennifer Snow, Greenville Health System.

During the final presentation, Expanding Their Voice: Engaging Minority Landowners, participants learned about the Sustainable Forestry and Land Retention program that is bringing together a wide range of federal and state agencies, industry and conservation partners to help African American forest landowners retain their lands and experience the benefits of forestry. Led by Carlton Owen, U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, this panel explored the importance of expanding the voice and active participation of people of color in forest management and advocacy. Panelists were: Sam Cook, NC State University; Joe Hamilton, South Carolina Landowner; and Alan McGregor, U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities.

Planning is already underway for the 2018 event which will be in Albuquerque, New Mexico from January 31 – February 2, 2018.

Conference Reflections from 2017 NLC Attendees:

  •  [The NLC] revives me and challenges me to think more deeply about my role and the role of private lands in the conservation landscape. Job well done!
  • Great conference. Definitely felt very welcome as a first timer and bringing a lot of information and strategies back home to try out!
  • I really enjoyed the enthusiasm of participants in sharing their stories, concerns, and hopes for the future. The staff did an excellent job in providing the environment and setting the pace for us to accomplish that.
  • Seriously, great conference guys. I'm excited to engage more with Tree Farm and support the organization.

 

2017 NLC Information Archive:

2017 NLC Content and Presentations:

Purpose Statement:

The ATFS National Leadership Conference (NLC) is an annual event which brings together state Tree Farm committee leaders, ATFS Inspectors, IMG Managers along with other strategic partners and volunteers.  The purpose of NLC is to:

  • Provide a collaborative venue for attendees, ATFS national staff and AFF leadership to coordinate and develop ideas, provide and share feedback, and develop long-term strategies that will ensure a vibrant, impact-focused future for the ATFS program;
  • Provide critical program updates to the network from the ATFS national office;
  • Provide professional development and outside-the-box learning opportunities for attendees; and
  • Provide peer-to-peer networking and information-sharing opportunities in order to inspire leaders and committees to take greater leadership and stewardship action.

Thank you to the following 2017 NLC Sponsors:

       

 

  

   

  

 

Cancellation Policy:

Registrants may receive a refund (minus $25 processing fee) if a cancellation request is made on or by January 31, 2017. Cancellations after this date are not eligible for any refund. To cancel your registration and receive a refund, contact Sara Anrrich at sanrrich@forestfoundation.org.